Garrett Tucker:
Future150 Southeast Analyst. Covering high school basketball across the Southeast.
Huntsville, AL (Future150) -- 2016 Madison Academy (Ala.) guard Joshua Langford toured the Bluegrass state and two of the best basketball programs in the country over the weekend. The five-star playmaker was invited to both Kentucky and Louisville for visits, and the respective programs made a big impression on him.
Langford was one of many underclassmen Kentucky hosted for its annual Big Blue Madness, a recruiting event that John Calipari has taken advantage of in the past few years.
Like many prospects say, Kentucky’s fan base is hard to explain, and the 6-foot-6 guard came away amazed.
“Big Blue Madness was a great experience,” Langford told Future150.com. “It’s a totally different thing up there. The fan base is crazy, and it was just for a practice. They are very faithful to their team.”
Despite having to focus on the handful of 2014 kids he had in attendance, Calipari took the time to talk to Langford and his father, Tellus, one-on-one.
“I got to talk to Coach [John] Calipari a little bit. He pulled us in right before we went out to our seats. He just told me that they like my game and that they will be following me in the future.”
Kentucky has yet to offer, but assistant coach Kenny Payne has been in contact with Langford’s father for the past few months.
While in the area, Langford also got the opportunity to stop by and see Louisville’s Red-White scrimmage on Saturday. He also came away with an offer.
“Louisville was a great experience, too. I had a very warm welcome. The staff did a great job hosting me,” he explained.
“It’s great to get an offer from Louisville. When Coach [Rick] Pitino told me he wanted to offer me a scholarship, right then I wanted to get in the gym. Getting an offer from a school like that makes me want to work harder and harder. I’m thankful and blessed to be able to have an offer from a school like that.”
Ranked No. 8 in the 2016 Future150 rankings, Langford does not have any other visits planned. However, many schools have stopped by in the past few weeks to meet with him and offer him scholarships.
To go along with Louisville, the stud sophomore also holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, UAB, Providence, Florida, Mississippi State, NC State, Memphis, Missouri, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt.
Michigan State, Arizona, Kentucky, and Duke are among the other schools interested.
Despite the high-major attention, Langford is focused on his upcoming season. With practice beginning last week, he is expecting big things from his squad this year.
“Really, I just want to win another state championship and go back-to-back. I want to help the seniors get another ring. I wouldn’t get noticed and be where I am today without them.”
Langford and Madison Academy are the expected favorites to bring home the Alabama 3-A state title.
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